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QUOTE |
I don't agree with physical punishment for children but I see that here in Trinidad is something very common. What are your thoughts about spanking and physical punishment in general? |
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Charles, you make some great points. Yes, it is assault, it is violence but Trinidadians in general do not see it as such, they think in extremes...they think is abuse or assault when a parent reaches the point of burning the hand of their child in the stove or sexually abusing the child. I cannot count the many times I heard "If licks are so bad, then look at me, I did not turn that bad" and what do you think this same person is doing with their child? It's a vicious cycle that needs to stop.
It is part of the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, it is so internalized within it that have become socially acceptable in all sort of areas. Some people are even bold to continue hitting kids at school knowing that it may cause them legal problems. In the last school I was working (private one) I saw the Principal beating up a 13 years old kid on his bottom with a thick wooden stick 10 times. I tried to stop him but he won't listen. The kid had LOTS of issues but instead of helping him the choice was "licks", after all, it is "his" fault. But is his? He is just a victim of a savage society that believes physical punishment is the solution for almost all problems.
You know how hard it is as a mother to see another mom beating a child who can hardly walk in public? Many of these "moms" are teens who are so frustrated by their overwhelming responsibility that end up treating their own kids in the most cruel manners.
I will say 90% of the population in Trinidad is in favor of some sort of physical punishment towards kids, the saddest thing is that a society that does not learn through sad experiences (recent child murders and abuse becoming prevalent) is a society that needs a wake-up call and if murders of kids in the hands of their own parents does not move anybody to stop using violence, then...nothing else will stop them. Edited: LDS_forever on 30th Dec, 2006 - 2:16am
Name: Missymiss
Comments: First of all the Bible says,"spear the rod spoil the child". Even though beating was used as a form of punishment in slavery, it is also a form of discipline.
I think sometimes that morals are relative, and only apply relative to societies.
In Western societies, people in general don't really care that much about homosexuality for instance, but I notice here that people are more opposed to it. I think Trinidad also is a more religious society and that religion plays a greater role in daily life.
So the spanking of children is probably more attuned with Trinidadian morals. I suppose it's the old idea that children should be seen and not heard.
I think we should understand first and foremost that Trinidad is a young nation. We are going through all the trials of becoming First World. OK the slave masters used the whip and some people think that this is the only form of guidance available to us. What we are enduring is the 'ironing out' of all the kinks in the system. The US say they are going to ensure peace in the middle east by declaring war on terrorism. Yeah drop some bombs over there and kill a few thousand people, that will surely bring peace. Back to Trinidad, our education system is based on the British system, corporal punishment was used there until not too long ago, they have abolished it and they too are reeling from the backlash of it. Results, positive results, cannot be achieved overnight. It takes time, corporal punishment is not as rampant as it was a few years ago, I have been in the system for some time now, I am seeing a change. It maybe too slow for some but I believe it will happen.
QUOTE (lordryoko @ 9-Sep 08, 11:54 PM) |
our education system is based on the British system, corporal punishment was used there until not too long ago. |
uh exactly my point England did it 20 years ago, we abolished it less than 10 years ago, As I said we are still ironing out the differences. You will be surprised at the number of parents who do not agree with corporal punishment.
I am unsure if I would be using England, Canada or the USA to form any school after.
Violence in rampant in them as is disrespect for the teacher and other students. In all three countries I personally know teachers in young grades. the stories they tell me which are not uncommon occurrences are awful.
I say keep corporal punishment and god in your schools!
Then maybe you will over achieve in the goals you seek. A swat is just that one swat on the bottom with a bare hand and should not be done in school. There are many ways for corporal punishment and that is what the rod is you are break a basic moral and we are going to let you know it is wrong. The part most forget is to reteach that moral and teach the child to repent its wrong and seek to make atonement.
What was the old saying my mind only remembers what my bottom does not forget.